A seven-point immigration plan to build a stronger Canada

Canada has launched a new immigration plan aimed at building a stronger country, which is focused on seven key points concerning newcomers, including housing, labour, education, and languages. Part of a report called ‘An Immigration System for Canada’s Future’, the seven points relate to actions that are key to transforming Canada’s immigration system, informed by engagement with a broad range of partners and stakeholders. They include:

1. Positioning the immigration system to adapt quickly and to respond equitably and sustainably to growing global humanitarian crises.
2. Developing a new Francophone Immigration Policy to enhance the vitality of Francophone minority communities, while maintaining and increasing the demographic weight of French linguistic minority communities in Canada.
3. Improving the International Student Program by working with provinces and territories on a Recognized Institutions Framework so that post-secondary institutions with high standards in key areas such as integrity and student support can benefit from faster processing of study permits
4. Integrating housing, health care and infrastructure planning, along with other important services, into Canada’s immigration levels planning, in close collaboration with provinces, territories and municipalities.
5. Building an advisory body of newcomers with experience in immigration to inform program and policy improvements, as well as service delivery.
6. Creating a Chief International Talent Officer position to more effectively align immigration programs and pathways with the labour market, including industry and sector strategies.
7. Making our website more user-friendly, so that applicants can easily find the information they need.

Also read: Here’s what Canada’s 2024-2026 Immigration Levels Plan looks like

While some of these changes have already begun, others are in development. The engagement initiative to draft the report saw Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) receive more than 17,500 voices, including from over 2,000 organizations and 2,100 current and/or former clients, such as temporary foreign workers, international students, and permanent residents.

“With these measures, we aim to build a system that is easier to navigate, with an inclusive and coordinated plan that aligns our immigration programs and policies with the needs of the country. As we move forward, the people who come to Canada will continue to be at the heart of our work, whether they wish to work, study, or call this place their home.”
– Marc Miller, Canada’s Immigration Minister

It is worth noting that Immigration is the main driver of population growth in Canada. In 2021, more than 8.3 million people, or almost one-quarter (23 percent) of the population, were or had been a landed immigrant or permanent resident in Canada. This was the largest proportion since Confederation and the highest among the G7.

The share of Canada’s population that is of working age is shrinking. Fifty years ago, there were about seven workers to each senior in Canada. Now, that rate stands at approximately three workers for each senior, and the share is projected to drop to close to only two workers for each senior in the foreseeable future. An aging workforce has broad implications for the economy, like chronic labour market shortages.

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